Here at iDB, most of us have adopted the “no-case” policy for our iPhones. Cases are typically bulky, ugly, and although they are made to protect our handsets, they cover up the beautiful design Apple has worked so hard to achieve.

But the folks at the design firm ‘m’ think they have a cure for the common case. Their new AL13 is an ultra-thin bumper for the iPhone 4/5 that protects the device with lightweight aerospace aluminum without altering its look…

Sure, there are other metal and aluminum bumpers out there. But most of them are either really bulky, or they require tools to take off and put on. That’s where the AL13 differs. It has a rubber interior that allows for easy off and on.

As you can tell from the above video, the bumper isn’t available yet. The developers say they have perfected the design and made the moulds, but they needed Kickstarter funding to bring the AL13 to market. They’re goal is to raise $20,000.

At the time of this writing, the team had more than doubled their target at $50,000. Apparently, people really like their aluminum bumper. And if you want to pick one up too, a pledge of $55 or more will get you on the pre-order list.

I have to admit, as far as cases and bumpers go, this is one of the more attractive ones I’ve seen. I love the thin, simplistic design. But it’s still not enough to convince me to stop going case-less.

i have a G-form case. It’s pretty nice. Makes the iPhone 5 about twice its thickness but i know it’ll be protected if i drop it. If I drop my iPhone with this, it’ll do more harm than good. I’ll damage the phone AND the bumper. Not worth it.

f1ght3r

I used to have one on my 4S and it destroyed my phone’s reception. I wonder how these will affect reception on the iPhone 5.

Finally, a Blog that puts TWO ‘i’s in Aluminium :p
As for the bumper, it looks good, but I fear it would scratch just as readily as the bezel on the phone. I’d rather a smooth or satin rubberised plastic version.

Michael Bentley

Doesn’t it have a rubber lining to protect against scratching? I want a metal (or aluminium) case more than a cheap looking rubber one though… I don’t know

M L

So sick of kickstarter projects…..

Junior

They should use that money to get a better camera.. The audio quality was horrible.

pauleebe

The anodized black bumper of the iPhone 5 scratches plenty on it’s own … putting a metal bumper on it is just tempting fate.

Plus, way too expensive. And if you drop aluminium, the paint chips and it’s dented for life. No thanks.